Punjab’s farming community is gearing up for a dramatic showdown against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his scheduled visit to Patiala on May 23. With a mix of defiance and determination, farmers plan to voice their deep-seated grievances, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation as Modi campaigns for former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s wife and former Union Minister Preneet Kaur in the royal city.
Various farmers' groups, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), BKU Ugrahan, and SKM, have announced plans to demonstrate against the Prime Minister’s visit. It remains unclear whether these groups will unite for a joint protest or demonstrate separately. This announcement coincides with the farmers ending their 34-day rail blockade at Patiala’s Shambhu railway station. The blockade had been part of their demand for the release of three farmers arrested during earlier protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders by Haryana police.
SKM (non-political) coordinator Jagjit Singh Dallewal emphasized the ongoing focus on protests at key locations, including where BJP leaders will campaign. “In the past, BJP leaders have defamed farmers. Now their central leadership is coming to Punjab, and we will protest at every location they visit,” said Dallewal.
Echoing the same sentiment, KKM head Sarwan Singh Pandher said that farmers will protest in Patiala, Jalandhar, and Gurdaspur on May 23 and 24, where Modi is scheduled to hold rallies. Pandher emphasized that the protests would be determined and widespread. “If we are stopped, we will then decide what to do next,” he said.
The farmer leaders, addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, declared that farmers would confront the Prime Minister wherever he goes in Punjab. “We will ask why he betrayed us and broke his promises,” said Pandher.
The farmers have announced that during the campaigning period for June 1 elections, the pakka dharnas will be organized outside the residences of prominent BJP leaders in Punjab and Haryana. The names of the leaders will be announced during a protest rally at the Shambhu border on May 22, marking 100 days of their ongoing agitation.
The one month long rail blockade has significantly impacted train services, with 69 trains canceled and over 150 diverted daily, causing losses to the railways and inconveniencing passengers. The rail blockade’s end is expected to ease some logistical challenges, particularly in transporting food grains from Punjab, where the harvesting season has just concluded.
Despite ending the rail blockade, the farmers' sit-in at the Shambhu border will continue, driven by unresolved demands such as the implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP). The protest has also affected trade, prompting the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal to issue an ultimatum to the AAP led Punjab Government to resolve the impasse within 10 days due to significant business losses.
BKU Ugrahan, SKM to also hold protest
Meanwhile, BKU Ugrahan has also announced plans to protest Modi's visit, calling out the BJP's corporate-friendly and anti-farmer policies over the past decade. Its president Joginder Singh Ugrahan has declared that they would protest vigorously in Patiala, bringing members from across Punjab despite potential police and administrative crackdowns. However, BKU Ugrahan does not currently plan to protest Modi's other rallies in Jalandhar or elsewhere. “We are prepared for all eventualities, including potential police crackdowns," he said. The SKM, which led the year-long farmers’ agitation at Delhi borders, have also announced to protest against the Prime Minister near to the venue of the Patiala rally, but in a peaceful manner. Preparations are complete for a farmers mahapanchayat at Jagraon on Tuesday where a multitude of issues, including the ongoing opposition to the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, will be addressed. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha is spearheading this mahapanchayat, which is expected to draw thousands of farmers to Jagraon’s Dana Mandi.
BJP’s push to poll campaign; Shah, Yogi also to address rallies
With the political campaigns for June 1 Lok Sabha elections reaching a fever pitch, the key political figures are set to visit the State to bolster support for their parties. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address rallies on May 23 and 24, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also be visiting the state to campaign for BJP candidates.
As per information available, Shah will arrive in Ludhiana on May 27 to rally support for BJP candidate Ravneet Bittu, besides galvanizing the local BJP supporters. The rally is also part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party's presence in the region.
Besides, Yogi Adityanath is also expected to visit Ludhiana on May 26. This visit follows a request by Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, who recently reached out to Yogi Adityanath to secure his participation in the campaign, especially in the areas with migrants population.
Preparations for these high-profile visits are underway. While the exact locations for Shah and Yogi’s rallies in Ludhiana are yet to be finalized, BJP workers have begun organizing and mobilizing local support.